The Border Zone
Our focus with Mexico will be primarily on the border zone with the United States. This is largely because of the economic activity that occurs in this region of Mexico. Tijuana and, as mentioned above, Juarez are two important cities that are connected with the United States for many reasons. First, they are in the maquiladoras area. And second, because of the drug and human trafficking issues emanating from these cities.
In Class Activity View Maquilapolis: City of Factories
As you watch the film note answers for the following questions (copy and paste them into a Pages or a document file like it):
What do you learn about Carmen Duran from the film? Think about what you see as well as what is said.
What are some of the reasons that companies set up factories in Mexico?
What specific challenges from her work at the Sanyo factory does Carmen describe? Why does she continue to work there despite these challenges?
What reason did Carmen's supervisor give her to explain why the factory shut down?
Now, working with the person sitting next to you create a list of incentives for Carmen and for the factory owners (Mark at least three incentives for each). Are there any the are in conflict with each other? Which ones? As well, consider this, what incentives might motivate a company to locate in the maquiladoras or in, say, China or Vietnam? Prepare an explanation.
Read pp. 216-221
Issues in Mexico
Bordertown - Below is the trailer for a film about women that have gone missing in Juarez. The place is part of the maquiladora economic zone in northern Mexico.
The Border Zone
Our focus with Mexico will be primarily on the border zone with the United States. This is largely because of the economic activity that occurs in this region of Mexico.
Tijuana and, as mentioned above, Juarez are two important cities that are connected with the United States for many reasons. First, they are in the maquiladoras area. And second, because of the drug and human trafficking issues emanating from these cities.
In Class Activity View Maquilapolis: City of Factories
As you watch the film note answers for the following questions (copy and paste them into a Pages or a document file like it):
- What do you learn about Carmen Duran from the film? Think about what you see as well as what is said.
- What are some of the reasons that companies set up factories in Mexico?
- What specific challenges from her work at the Sanyo factory does Carmen describe? Why does she continue to work there despite these challenges?
- What reason did Carmen's supervisor give her to explain why the factory shut down?
Now, working with the person sitting next to you create a list of incentives for Carmen and for the factory owners (Mark at least three incentives for each). Are there any the are in conflict with each other? Which ones? As well, consider this, what incentives might motivate a company to locate in the maquiladoras or in, say, China or Vietnam? Prepare an explanation.